Raising a 2 YO is quite a lot of work isn't it?

[Ozziegirly]

My DS is nearly 2, and although he's always been quite headstrong and firey as a child, this phase is quite hard.

I feel like I'm having to be "on" all the time to make sure he is learning the "right" things, like manners, no pushing, biting, keep trying at things, I can understand your frustration over not being able to do stuff etc. Plus he is like a sponge for information and wants to be constantly chatted to, played with, have stuff pointed out (all which is nice of course!)

Sometimes, like yesterday, he is an angel child - lovely walk in the park and fed the ducks, trip to the shops where he was helpful, funny, just great.

Then on Wednesday he bit another child who took his toy. Today he had a huge shuddering sobby meltdown in the park when a girl pushed him over, and everything is still "NO" whether he wants it or not.

No real point to this post other than hoping that at some point in the future I can kind of relax a bit, whereas at the moment it all feels a bit like lots and lots of work.....

Plus I am 5 months pregnant and just do not know how he is going to cope with having my attention elsewhere as at the moment he will only play by himself for about 5 minutes, before it's "mummy, sit there, play cars".

Anyone else feel like this?

Yep. Parenting an active and enthusiastic 2y.o is completely exhausting. is he at home full time? My DS is similar but he goes to nursery 2.5 days a week - I honestly think I would go mad if I had to keep up with his frenetic pace of living 7 days a week. If that's what you are doing I don't blame you for feeling overwhelmed.

Only 2 years till he goes to school? Is that any comfort? (being flipant)

Do you have enough outdoor space to have a trampoline or slide or something in the garden? - our DS is more managable when he can tire himself out with something like this.

Our son is 2.5 & I feel like I spend most of my time saying 'no'! But I do find it incredibly rewarding as he's just such a funny chap & makes me laugh so much.

boys are like dogs. they need to get out at least once a day to run around.!! this is all normal. Ds1 was nearly 2 when I had ds2. it's hard work expecting and having a boy. Does he like 'Bob the builder' or 'Thomas' or anything like that? after I had put lunch stuff away we would sit down and watch TV for 30 mins. Worked a treat as I then got a rest. Bt hard for 1st week but he got used to and I needed the 30 mins sit down( often usd to watch with my eyes shut!!)

Pressed post too soon!
I am 7 months pregnant & also wondering how the hell I'm going to cope. I'm hoping that my son will be interested in the baby & focus some of his attention there but I have no way of knowing until number 2 arrives.

In a way I'm very lucky in that my son tends to behave when we're out somewhere, but this generally means he saves his meltdowns for when we're home & he can be a total monster at times.

I hear you Op!

DS2 is 2.3yrs, and I have to be honest I hate this age. He isn't saying much so gets incredibly frustrated. We have wonderful times together and he can be great company, but my goodness, when things don't go his way there is total meltdown.

I take my hat off to you expecting DC2 whilst having a toddler. I'm crap with the toddler age so left a 5year age gap between each DC (3 of them). I'm desperatley looking at our finanaces to be able to afford nursery for even one morning a week otherwise I will keep plodding on till next January when he can start playgroup.

My dd is 20 months and I'm 38 weeks PG

I feel your pain VERY MUCH!!

yesterday I bought a back pack thing with reins as I literally can not keep up with her when out and that's not going to improve when there is a pram in tow.
Everything is either cold or HOT - there is never enough milk to be drunk and when we go to friends houses or out she always puts her parts on about food. She demands it constantly.

worried I take my hat off to you being full term with a 20month old. I would pass you but a) it is too early and b) you are pregnant, ach stuff it, I needed it just to imagine what you are going through.

Agree about getting out for a run
15 month gap here, we pretty much get out morning and afternoon for at least a wander
Sling for baby great as they can just come with you whilst you follow toddler. Those backpack reins great for toddler

Try taking him out am to wear off some steam, then afternoon nap to save your sanity, then can potter in the afternoon whilst trying to persude him to occupy himself a little

Anyone got tips on taking out a child to wear them out when they hate exercise, rarely run and have a strop when you say the word 'park'?

My 2.7 y.o. definitely needs to be taken out for exercise every day or he starts going hyper, but he hates walking, won't run unless there's a train at the end and generally doesn't like exercise. I do lots of making him walk, but it's hard work and he is SO SLOOOOOOW that I sometimes wonder whether all the strops are worth it.

did I mention I have a 5 yr old too, and Im trying to run my own business from home....

Angel sorry no advice. My DS is the opposite and will walk all fecking day if he was allowed.

worried a 5year old too? necks more Jaysus. I have a 12 year old, a 7 year old and a 2 year old. Spread out, that is the only way I can cope. This hat that I have taken off twice on this thread? It's yours, take it. You must be superwoman. Seriously, good luck with impending birth

Marking my place to post later.

I had two 2year olds. Yes it is hard. They were delightful by 3 if that's any consolation? In comparison 4yo has been a breeze.

I coped by having a 'planned' activity every day. Eg museum trip, feeding ducks, walk to library etc.

H - wait till they hit 4 !! I have a strong willed child and he has got worse!

But at least by 4 you can reason with them a bit.

Children's centre? I have a 23 month old and a 3 day old

DS1 goes to the children's center 2-3 times a week for stay and play, song and dance, messy play, cooking etc. You stay with them but the activities are all organised, it gives some variety to their week, they see other children and tire themselves out.

I am coming back! Just doing bed etc. Thanks for brill posts, looking forward to responding properly.

Angel scooter or bike? Especially if it has a favourite character on? Asda have a spiderman one at the moment for £16.

Same boat here. Ds is 2.1 and I'm 6 months preg.

He does have v good days but alot of the time he's saying 'no' all the time. Deliberately doesn't do what I ask because he thinks me chasing him around is hilarious.
It is hard work im just hoping he doesn't get worse when the new baby comes along!

Dd is just 2 and ds is 16weeks. It's really difficult but so rewarding too. I get through my days by planning one 'big' activity a day for dd whether that is a playgroup / farm/ park visit. Usually the morning works best so by lunchtime nap I can get both down simultaneously for at least 30 mins to give myself a break :)

My advice is to 'hide' toys and bring them out every week do toddler has a new thing to play with each week - this week Lego has been fantastic - next week I'll put lego away for a few days and replace it with the blackboard and dolls house then switch it up again a few days later. Books are also fab for when feeding little one and toddler feels part of it.

We also recently bought dd a 'baby' which she feeds sometimes when I feed ds. Use the tv if you need a break - a couple of 30 min programmes won't hurt and will keep your sanity :)

It's bloody hard and am hoping it gets easier when they can play together :) I remind myself that everyone has difficult days and we will get through the bad days and I'm doing the best I can. Good luck with baby number 2 - it's truly wonderful to see 2dc together :)

I sympathise! I have a 4.5 yo, a 2.3 y.o and a 6 mo and the two year old is by far the most work! He is either up to mischief or wailing. In fact I am hiding in the kitchen at the moment while I can hear my two year old throwing things round the lounge! Oh he's hanging off my legs now demanding another snack!

Anyway my point is, yes it is a really tough age but it does get better and they can be so funny and sweet when they want to. With every happy hill comes and very big trough!

Waiting for DD to wake from her nap so I can release the boys into the wild for a bit of energy release!

I have 2 yo twins and I feel your pain. They are starting playgroup in Sept for two mornings a week. I cannot wait, a breather will be soooo nice.

It does get easier though, personally I'm looking forward to them being 3 and getting 15 hours free pre school for them.

I hear you! And let me say, it NOT just boys who are hard work. I have a full on DD and it is exhausting. I hear NO constantly and half the time she is just saying/shouting no without even listening to what I am asking. I found newborn tough (PND too), but I must admit this 2 year old stage is hardgoing too - especially when her sleep is going tits up!

Angel my DS1 hated walking - loved his balance bike through - swimming also a big hit
I think a few months can make a bit difference - less tantrums - less biting/pushing etc
Its is hard though

yep. my 2yo DS is utterly gorgeous, but I have to be on the ball ALL THE TIME.

I took them to the local lido the other day (whe the sun was shining - come back sun!!). DH seems to think I lounge about and read magazines and eat cakes when we go out. What I actually do is run about like loony woman trying to stop 2yo from killing himself.

Thank goodness DS1 (5) stays in range - I only have heart stopping moments every 20 minutes or so from him!! (DH is probably correct about the cakes bit though LOL)

DS1 also likes to wreck the house when he is tired. I follow him around tidying up the mess after him and pretty much begging him to stop whatever it is he's doing. Distraction 'distracts' him for about 4 minutes. Then he continues to trash the place.